Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas pulls in a pass against Tennessee defensive back Justin Coleman during the first half of a 55-48 UT win. / Jim Brown, US Presswire

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee survived, but did the win do anything for Derek Dooley's job security with the Volunteers?

UT survived against Troy, after all, and not Alabama, Florida or another SEC rival. Troy, of the Sun Belt â?? the other Trojans.

And looked terrible doing so. Yes, the offense was explosive: UT gained 717 yards, 531 of which came through the air. For the first time all season, Tyler Bray looked like an all-SEC quarterback.

But the defense was as bad as ever, and this has officially become a trend. First-year coordinator Sal Sunseri has implemented the 3-4 base set to disastrous results: UT gained 718 yards, yes, but also allowed 721.

The teams combined for 1,439 yards, a new SEC single-game record.

The Volunteers have allowed 38 or more points in five consecutive games, tying a record by an SEC team. Vanderbilt did the same from 2001-02, as did Mississippi State in 2003.

The win moved Tennessee to 4-5, snapping a five-game losing streak (all in SEC play). With Missouri, Vanderbilt and Kentucky to come, UT has a very good chance at returning to bowl play after a one-year absence.

But will that be enough? Most of all, would six wins be enough after the way UT has looked this season â?? not only in defeat but also in victory?

Few losses could feel worse than Saturday's win over the Trojans. The Volunteers led 28-10 four minutes into the second quarter, led 31-30 at halftime, trailed 40-34 after the third quarter and trailed 48-41 in the fourth quarter before scoring the game's final 14 points.

"Every football traditionalist is rolling over in their grave right now," Dooley said.

This is Tennessee, not Middle Tennessee (or Tennessee-Martin). At what point have Dooley's returns diminished to the point where UT feels no choice but to make a coaching change?

And if you don't think it can get any worse, you don't know Tennessee.